Nutrition Comes First

Okay. The not so glamorous aspect of jump rope is the subject of food. There are so many misconceptions with young people about what's good for them to eat or why and what it does to their bodies, that it's time to be open.

In addition to our fabulous children, Chef Ann Cooper is currently one of Berkeley's treasures.

When it comes to knowledge of nutrition, sustainable food culture, and getting good grub to kids, to see her work is to see the REAL DEAL.

During my quest to connect with as many local resources for 3D as possible, I had a conversation with Chef Cooper. But before I get into that, you've gotta be aware and pick up what she's putting down:

http://www.lunchlessons.org/html_v2/lunch_lessons.html

At 3D we play but we don't joke.
We have tools and information to change a new generation of people by putting KNOWLEDGE IN ACTION.

So as we routinely work refining our rope skills, we educate our young people about food too.

But let's get back to the discussion I had with Ann.

I asked Chef Cooper:

"What do you think is the greatest obstacle for getting people of African American and Latino communities in touch with organic food culture and healthy eating?"

I pointed this question to her because...

1) I am intimately familiar with common culturally relevant foods and the culture surrounding food in this community.

2) Having worked from Harlem to Berkeley California, I strongly suspected that African American and Latino inner city culture would be nothing new to her.

And finally...

3) She is an extraordinarily knowledgeable and socially-conscious chef who is as unpretentious and 'can-do' as you will ever meet. Oh, and she was hand-picked by the Alice Water's Foundation to bring organic food culture to the Berkeley Unified School District.
Yes, she is ALL THAT and HOLD the chips.

In short, she hipped me to the fact that to begin to even answer this question, you need to look at food histories of people. You have to look at each community's diaspora- generations of people and their migration to where they are today. In looking at those migrations, you need to observe what people have regularly eaten with regards to what was available to them. Accessible foods, methods of preparation, and means of consumption have everything to do with peoples physiology- particularly over generations with prevalent practices.

In a nutshell, her answer was: access has to do with changing peoples mindset about eating by taking into account their cultural beliefs and practices regarding food. Equally important is to consider the physical activity in one's life. If you're going to ask a question about a culture of a people or their practices and you're talking food, it is necessary to observe what takes place around the tenets of a healthy and balanced lifestyle: sufficient rest, moderated food consumption, and sufficient physical activity.

We discussed how we have a history in this country where many African American's biological makeup can be traced to ancestors who did extreme physical labor and consumed certain kinds of foods available thus prepared those foods in specific ways. Over time, generationally, bodies adapt to being able to process foods BASED ON THEIR ACTIVITY among many, many, other factors outside of our control by birth.

But activity and eating habits ARE within our realm of control.

A key word is 'activity'. Now rather than tread into waters that got 'Jimmy the Greek' into so much hot water, let's be clear that:
we're talking about eating habits
we're talking about exercise
we're talking about paying attention to the biology that you were given
we're talking about taking into account your food culture and being aware

In a way we're even talking about talking to your doctor.

Because each and every one of us is different. Any information we can get about our body and what keeps it healthy is critical.

It's a shame that our California Governor, Arnold, is not so keen on making information accessible to those who need it most: public school kids!
See DEEP CUTS IN EDUCTION SPENDING,...
(see 1/11/08 SF Chronicle article...) http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2008/01/11/MNVIUD5V8.DTL&type=politics

people in African American and Latino communities are overwhelmingly impacted when costs are cut in education. And education is directly connected to health awareness. And poverty is directly connected to inaccessible health care.

So, as we are what we eat- we think about it. And do things about it. Hopefully more kids will too, with our efforts. And your efforts. Hey, Ann's doing her part!

3D can no longer leave our children without daily active advocacy. We do it with Double Dutch.
Think about what you eat. Chef Ann makes it easy with her Meal Wheel

http://www.lunchlessons.org/html_v2/meal_wheel.html

We're bringing what we know, as conscientious stewards of children's learning and well-being, to the 'table'.

And when it comes to nutritional awareness, we're glad to say that Ann Cooper is someone who is seated right along with us!

Ready your ropes...

-B